How to Restore WhatsApp from Backup to Android and iPhone

Taking the time to make a copy of your WhatsApp data is well worth the investment. Thus, your data would never be gong if you lose your phone or drop it in the toilet because you can quickly restore your device from a backup without a hassle. A variety of approaches you can use to restore WhatsApp backup, depending on your phone type and whether you have made a backup of WhatsApp or not.

If you're an iOS user and have ever backed up your WhatsApp data to iCloud or iTunes, then you can restore WhatsApp data either from iTunes or iCloud. While if you are an Android user and have backed up WhatsApp to a local backup or Google Drive, then you can use the same way to restore them with ease. For those who're planning to switch their phone from Android to iPhone and want to retain WhatsApp data, you can also do it by restoring WhatsApp from Google Drive to iPhone. Regardless of your cases, this guide will tell you how to restore WhatsApp from backup.

Part 1. How to Restore WhatsApp from Backup to iPhone

Generally speaking, if you have backed up your WhatsApp to iTunes or iCloud, then you can restore them via iTunes or iCloud. While if you want to migrate WhatsApp from an Android to an iPhone, things get slightly more complicated. But that's okay, there is always the way to do it.

Way 1. Restore WhatsApp Backup from iCloud

WhatsApp uses iCloud to back up all files, including messages, photos, videos, and voice messages. Once you initiated an iCloud backup, then you can restore WhatsApp from a backup when you change iPhones, or data loss occurs. To restore WhatsApp from iCloud, you'll need to make sure you're using the same iCloud account that you used to back up.

Step 1. First of all, you'll need to delete WhatsApp from your device and reinstall it.

Step 2. Then, you'll need to set up your WhatsApp as the first time you install: Enter the same phone number that you used previously and log into the same iCloud account as before.

Step 3. After that, it will automatically detect the existing iCloud backup. Tap "Restore Chat History" to get your chats back.

Way 2. Restore WhatsApp Backup from iTunes

Compared with iCloud, iTunes is faster because the backup is stored locally on your computer. Instead of restoring only WhatsApp data to your iPhone, as iCloud does, iTunes will get everything back to your iPhone and get your current data replaced. This way is a preferable choice for users who're planning to reset their iPhone/iPad or those who buy a new device.

Step 1. Launch the latest version of iTunes on your computer > Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable > Tap "Trust this computer" if required.

Step 2. Click on your device icon in the upper left corner of the iTunes window > Click on "Summary" from the menu on the left side.

Step 3. Make sure "This computer" box is ticked (if you backed up iPhone with a different computer, just tick the "iCloud" box) > Click "Restore Backup."

Step 4. Then, you will be required to choose a device to restore, just choose your device and click "Restore."

Way 3. Restore WhatsApp Backup from Google Drive to iPhone

Frankly speaking, there is no direct way to restore WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to iPhone since Google Drive is incompatible with iOS devices. But that doesn't mean impossible. You still have the chance to get the job done by using an indirect way - restore WhatsApp conversations to Android devices at first and then transfer these data to the iPhone. Here are the steps to do it.

Restore WhatsApp Backup from Google Drive to Android

Step 1. Reinstall WhatsApp on your Android device > Set your WhatsApp as the first time you did.

Step 2. When you enter the page of 'Restore backup", click the "Restore" button.

Export Backup from Android to iPhone

Step 1. Open your WhatsApp > Open "Settings" by tapping the dotted line on the top right of the screen > On the drop-down list, click "Email Chat."

Step 2. Select the individual or group chat that you want to export. Then, a window will pop up to ask you to choose "Without Media" or "Attach Medis." You can choose either of them, depending on your needs.

Step 3. Then, you can choose the email app and send the Whatsapp chats to yourself or others.

Part 2. How to Restore WhatsApp from Backup to Android

There are two options for you to restore WhatsApp from backup - from a local backup and Google Drive. 

Way 1. Restore WhatsApp from a Local Backup

If you have an SD card, then WhatsApp messages will be backed up to it by default. Thus, you can directly move your SD card to another device to restore chats history. If your Android doesn't have an SD card, WhatsApp conversations will be backed up your device's internal memory at this path: /sdcard/WhatApp/. Thus, you will need to transfer files from this folder to another device through a computer.

Step 1. Download a file manager app on your Android device.

Step 2. Go to sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases. Note that if your data isn't stored on the SD card, you might see "internal storage" or "main storage" instead of sdcard.

Step 3. Rename your backup file to msgstore.db.crypt12 (the former is msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12). If your backup is made earlier, its name might be crypt9 or crypt10.

Step 4. Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp > Set it up and tap "Restore" when prompted.

Way 2. Restore WhatsApp from Google Drive

If you are an Android user, then you have a chance to restore WhatsApp backup from Google Drive. Before you proceed, make sure that you have made a backup of your WhatsApp chat history. To do this, you can follow these steps.

Step 1. Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp on your device.

Step 2. Open WhatsApp and input your phone number > When prompted, tap "Restore" to restore your chats and media from Google Drive.

Step 3. After restoring, tap "Next." Then, you can access your WhatsApp chats on your phone.

The Bottom Line

That's all about our methods to restore WhatsApp from backup on iPhone or Android. After reading this post, we hope you have successfully restored your chats history. In sum: If you are an iOS user, then you can restore WhatsApp messages from iTunes, iCloud, or Google Drive. Google Drive is not recommended since the process is tedious. And if you're an Android user, you can restore WhatsApp from a local backup or Google Drive, depending on your needs.